Federica Mogherini announced her resignation as Rector of the College of Europe after being accused of fraud; she communicated the decision following a meeting of the institution's executive committee.
"In accordance with the utmost rigor and fairness with which I have always carried out my duties, I have today decided to resign from my position as Rector"
– Federica Mogherini
Reason for resignation
The investigation led by an EU prosecutor concerns a one-year contract of the College of Europe as part of a tender to create a new academy to train young diplomats and civil servants who are to represent Europe abroad.
Investigation and charges
Prosecutors suspect that in 2021–2022 there may have been collusion between the college and the EU diplomatic service aimed at improperly directing EU funds to this project, in particular by informing the educational institution in advance about a tender that was officially open to universities across Europe.
- Mogherini served as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 2014 to 2019; in 2020 she became Rector of the College of Europe and oversaw campuses in Bruges, Warsaw and Tirana.
- On 2 December Mogherini and several others were detained as part of an investigation into the handling of EU funds.
- On 3 December they were formally charged with fraud and corruption in public procurement, conflict of interest, and breach of professional secrecy; they were released pending the investigation.
